Under the association's bylaws, two-thirds of the total votes were needed for approval. Although IALEI did not disclose the total ballot count, sources reported fewer than 50% of the eligible total membership.

The next step is the dissolution of IALEI, and IAAPA will acquire specific assets. These assets will eventually include IALEI's 50% ownership of the Fun Expo trade show. The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA), co-owners of Fun Expo, each hold 25% shares. Both groups have approved IALEI's request for IAAPA to acquire its share of Fun Expo.

The basic merger plan, excluding the Fun Expo details, should be completed by October. All IALEI members in good standing will become IAAPA members with free membership through next year.

Founded in 1993, IALEI was originally named the International Association of Family Entertainment Centers (IAFEC) with a charter membership of a dozen operator and supplier charter members. Today, IALEI counts nearly 900 members.

Fun Expo, launched in 1991 by Bellwether Expositions, was the industry's first successful national trade show focused on family entertainment centers. IALEI was initially a key sponsor of Fun Expo, but had no financial interest in the show.

In 1998, Bellwether sold Fun Expo to the Reed Expositions group, co-owner and operator of the G2E gaming show with the American Gaming Association (AGA). Fun Expo began a decade of co-location with the AMOA's International Expo in 1999.

In 2000, IAFEC became IALEI; in 2001 IALEI purchased a 50% interest in Fun Expo from Reed in concert with AMOA and AAMA. The three associations jointly own Fun Expo, and have managed the show under the umbrella group Leisure Entertainment Trade Shows (LETS). The LETS agreement expires in December 2010.

Changing schedules this year, Fun Expo will exit from AMOA Expo's traditional fall slot. It will co-locate with AAMA's springtime Amusement Showcase International (ASI). The shift was to prevent Fun Expo from competing with IAAPA's "Parks" show, set for Las Vegas this November.

The IAAPA Attractions Expo is the world's largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry. Founded in 1918, IAAPA, is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions.

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